Mike Wallace, of the NFL's Miami Dolphins, took to Twitter yesterday to respond to Jason Collins' coming out announcement and created a momentary furor by suggesting that being gay is a choice. The 26 year old Wallace tweeted “All these beautiful women in the world and guys wanna mess with other guys SMH (shakin’ my head) …”

Later, Wallace deleted the tweet, and replaced it with; ”Never said anything was right or wrong I just said I don’t understand!! Deeply sorry for anyone that I offended.”

I think Mike gets a pass on this one... Of course he doesn't "understand," he's never tried before. He's not gay, and to understand someone else's reality takes work... You have to think about it and relate it to your own experiences and feelings. I understand heterosexuals not because I'm heterosexually attracted, but because I've sought to understand. And because I'm human too, I do understand... I understand love and desire and it's the same whether you're gay or not.

Positive images of people like me... The truth of the matter is that we all need to see people like ourselves. So everyday, I'll post a photo, drawing or some other artwork that depicts Same Gender Loving People as what we are... Only Human.

Yesterday, ESPN sports analyst, Chris Broussard became the voice of ignorance when commenting on the coming out of Jason Collins. “I’m a Christian,” he began as he spoke on ESPN's "Outside the Lines" along with LZ Granderson, who is gay. “I don’t agree with homosexuality. I think it’s a sin. I think all sex outside of marriage between a man and a woman is [sin] and LZ knows that.”

“Personally, I don’t think you can live an openly homosexual lifestyle, or [engage in] premarital sex between heterosexuals [as a Christian],” Broussard continued. “If you’re openly living that type of lifestyle, then the Bible says you will know them by their fruits. It says that it’s a sin, and if you’re living in unrepentant sin — whatever it may be, not just homosexuality — adultery, fornication, premarital sex between heterosexuals, whatever it may be, I believe that’s walking in open rebellion to God.”

For some reason, I'm reminded of what Shakespeare might say about this... "The lady doth protest too much, methinks." Now beyond what my gaydar is telling me, why didn't he learn the message, if you can't say something nice, don't say anything at all. In any case, "it mattereth not," truth, love and freedom is breaking out everywhere.

Yes, this is a really big deal... Jason's courage changes everything. Yes, the haters have already come out, but its too late to turn back the clock on freedom, justice and equality. And yes, its very important that the first openly gay active pro sports athlete is also a black man.

No doubt you've noticed that in the spate of recent "coming-outs" by notable blacks they've all prefaced their announcements with "I'm a black (man or woman), and I am gay" (or words to that effect). This is because, for people of color there is an additional door to be opened when leaving the closet. The black community is far more homophobic than society at large. Finding acceptance in the black community is sometimes much more difficult. NBA players are idolized by black youth and Jason's coming out has the power to change hearts and minds... This is a big deal!

Brazil Priest Excommunicated Over Support For Gays

A Catholic priest in southeastern Brazil was excommunicated on Monday after publicly resigning from his duties to protest against the church's opposition to homosexuality.

"Father Roberto Francisco Daniel can no longer celebrate the divine rite because he has been excommunicated," a statement from the Bauru diocese in Sao Paulo state said.

The 48-year-old priest, who renounced his church duties over the weekend, was accused of "heresy" and "schism" by the church hierarchy in the world's biggest Catholic country, which will welcome Pope Francis in late July during a major youth festival in Rio de Janeiro.

"Father Beto," as his parishioners call him, announced on social networks that he was giving up the priesthood, urging the Church to modify its views on homosexuality and bisexuality to adapt to "new realities."

"We should simply be considered as gendered beings and not as homosexuals or bisexuals since love can spring at all these levels," the priest said in a video posted on YouTube.

"For me it has become impossible to live the Gospel in an institution where freedom of thought and freedom of expression are not respected," he said in an online message.

Monday, April 29, 2013

"A college classmate tried to persuade me to come out then and there. But I couldn't yet. My one small gesture of solidarity was to wear jersey number 98 with the Celtics and then the Wizards. The number has great significance to the gay community. One of the most notorious antigay hate crimes occurred in 1998. Matthew Shepard, a University of Wyoming student, was kidnapped, tortured and lashed to a prairie fence. He died five days after he was finally found. That same year the Trevor Project was founded. This amazing organization provides crisis intervention and suicide prevention to kids struggling with their sexual identity. Trust me, I know that struggle. I've struggled with some insane logic. When I put on my jersey I was making a statement to myself, my family and my friends."

From the cover story of this week's Sports Illustrated. 12-year pro-basketball veteran Jason Collins just became the "first openly gay athlete playing in a major American team sport."

"I didn't set out to be the first openly gay athlete playing in a major American team sport. But since I am, I'm happy to start the conversation. I wish I wasn't the kid in the classroom raising his hand and saying, "I'm different." If I had my way, someone else would have already done this. Nobody has, which is why I'm raising my hand.My journey of self-discovery and self-acknowledgement began in my hometown of Los Angeles and has taken me through two state high school championships, the NCAA Final Four and the Elite Eight, and nine playoffs in 12 NBA seasons."

I predict that Jason will be only the first of a long list of professional athletes to come out this summer... I even foresee a same-sex marriage for a current athlete as not out of the question. I am so proud of him and I applaud his courage and strength... What a wonderful time to be gay!

Positive images of people like me... The truth of the matter is that we all need to see people like ourselves. So everyday, I'll post a photo, drawing or some other artwork that depicts Same Gender Loving People as what we are... Only Human.

HANOI — Vietnam's first gay sitcom has become a YouTube sensation, racking up millions of views as support for legalising same-sex marriage strengthens within the communist government.

Homosexuality was once seen as a social evil in Vietnam and the success of "My Best Gay Friends", a low-budget series about three people sharing an apartment in southern Ho Chi Minh City, has taken even its creator by surprise.

"I thought it would only interest Vietnam's gay community -- but we're hearing that parents, grandparents, whole families watch and love the shows and long for new episodes," Huynh Nguyen Dang Khoa, who also stars in the series...

Positive images of people like me... The truth of the matter is that we all need to see people like ourselves. So everyday, I'll post a photo, drawing or some other artwork that depicts Same Gender Loving People as what we are... Only Human.

"Love, as the poet says, is like the spring. It grows on you and seduces you slowly and gently, but it holds tight like the roots of a tree. You don't know until you're ready to go that you can't move, that you would have to mutilate yourself in order to be free. That's the feeling. It doesn't last, at least it doesn't have to. But it holds on like a steel claw in your chest. Even if the tree dies, the roots cling to you. I've seen men and women give up everything for love that once was."

Here from 1960, Walt Disney's "Swiss Family Robinson." One of my all-time favorite films from my childhood. Also the source of my first famous person crush, as revealed by my entry on the "Born This Way" blog.

"Camionero" (Truck Driver) - set in Cuba, a highly disturbing and realistic examination of bullying and the tacit approval of homophobia by society. Unique in its unflinching realism and depictions of the hopelessness of the bullied and the failure of those able to prevent it.

As the hateful anti-gay forces of the world realize that they're experiencing their death throes in the face of the truth it behooves us to be reminded of how far we've come. And lest we forget, let us always remember that the closet has always been our biggest enemy...

To those who still live in fear, I say, "Come out and breathe free, come out and seek happiness, come out and end the pain and suffering." Enbrace the truth and live a full and free life...

Positive images of people like me... The truth of the matter is that we all need to see people like ourselves. So everyday, I'll post a photo, drawing or some other artwork that depicts Same Gender Loving People as what we are... Only Human.

Mahatma Gandhi, as you know, walked barefoot most of the time, which produced an impressive set of calluses on his feet.He also ate very little, which made him rather frail and with his odd diet, he suffered from bad breath.This made him...A super calloused fragile mystic hexed by halitosis.

"I try to keep deep love out of my stories because, once that particular subject comes up, it is almost impossible to talk about anything else. Readers don’t want to hear about anything else. They go gaga about love. If a lover in a story wins his true love, that’s the end of the tale, even if World War III is about to begin, and the sky is black with flying saucers."

Positive images of people like me... The truth of the matter is that we all need to see people like ourselves. So everyday, I'll post a photo, drawing or some other artwork that depicts Same Gender Loving People as what we are... Only Human.

John Paulk was formerly the longtime leader of Focus on the Family's 'Love Won Out' 'ex-gay' ministry and the former chair of Exodus International (another ex-gay sham ministry). The Anti-gay and ex-gay movements shamelessly promoted Mr. Paulk's supposed conversion to promote their hateful agendas. Now, after a long-time absence from the public spotlight, but despite those same organizations continuing to promote the falsehood of Mr. Paulk's former claims, John has now formally apologized for the pain and harm he caused in an open letter (below):

For the better part of ten years, I was an advocate and spokesman for what’s known as the “ex-gay movement,” where we declared that sexual orientation could be changed through a close-knit relationship with God, intensive therapy and strong determination. At the time, I truly believed that it would happen. And while many things in my life did change as a Christian, my sexual orientation did not.So in 2003, I left the public ministry and gave up my role as a spokesman for the “ex-gay movement.” I began a new journey. In the decade since, my beliefs have changed. Today, I do not consider myself “ex-gay” and I no longer support or promote the movement. Please allow me to be clear: I do not believe that reparative therapy changes sexual orientation; in fact, it does great harm to many people.I know that countless people were harmed by things I said and did in the past. Parents, families, and their loved ones were negatively impacted by the notion of reparative therapy and the message of change. I am truly, truly sorry for the pain I have caused.From the bottom of my heart I wish I could take back my words and actions that caused anger, depression, guilt and hopelessness. In their place I want to extend love, hope, tenderness, joy and the truth that gay people are loved by God.Today, I see LGBT people for who they are–beloved, cherished children of God. I offer my most sincere and heartfelt apology to men, women, and especially children and teens who felt unlovable, unworthy, shamed or thrown away by God or the church.I want to offer my sincere thanks to everyone who encouraged me to take this initial step of transparency. Even while promoting “ex-gay” programs, there were those who called me on my own words and actions. I’m sure I didn’t appreciate it at the time, but they have helped me to realize this truth about who I am.This is a life transition that has been and will continue to be, challenging. Sadly, my marriage of 20 years is in the process of ending. I want to take the time to make sure my next actions come from a place of truth and authenticity. Therefore, I’m drastically limiting my public engagement until my own personal life can be settled. After that I eagerly anticipate giving back to the community.Finally, I know there are still accounts of my “ex-gay” testimony out there being publicized by various groups, including two books that I wrote about my journey. I don’t get any royalties from these publications, and haven’t since I left the ministry nearly ten years ago. I discourage anyone from purchasing and selling these books or promoting my “ex-gay” story because they do not reflect who I am now or what I believe today.John Paulk

Positive images of people like me... The truth of the matter is that we all need to see people like ourselves. So everyday, I'll post a photo, drawing or some other artwork that depicts Same Gender Loving People as what we are... Only Human.

Rhode Island is on a path to becoming the 10th state to allow gay and lesbian couples to marry after a landmark vote in the state's Senate on Wednesday.

The Senate passed gay marriage legislation by a comfortable 26-12 margin, following a House vote of approval in January. The bill must now return to the House for a largely procedural vote, likely next week, but the celebration began Wednesday. Rhode Island governor, Lincoln Chafee has already committed to signing the bill into law when it reaches his desk.

Wednesday, April 24, 2013

Love never dies a natural death. It dies because we don't know how to replenish its source. It dies of blindness and errors and betrayals. It dies of illness and wounds; it dies of weariness, of witherings, of tarnishings.

Positive images of people like me... The truth of the matter is that we all need to see people like ourselves. So everyday, I'll post a photo, drawing or some other artwork that depicts Same Gender Loving People as what we are... Only Human.

"Have you ever been in love? Horrible isn't it? It makes you so vulnerable. It opens your chest and it opens up your heart and it means that someone can get inside you and mess you up. You build up all these defenses, you build up a whole suit of armor, so that nothing can hurt you, then one stupid person, no different from any other stupid person, wanders into your stupid life... You give them a piece of you. They didn't ask for it. They did something dumb one day, like kiss you or smile at you, and then your life isn't your own anymore."

Tuesday, April 23, 2013

The Nevada State Senate voted 12-9 to repeal the statewide constitutional amendment that currently bars same-sex couples from marrying, after a floor debate in which Sen. Kelvin Atkinson told all of his colleagues that he is gay.

"I'm black. I'm gay," he said Monday, according to the Las Vegas Sun. "I know this is the first time many of you have heard me say that I am a black gay male."

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